Sandalwood trees: Bopaiah stresses need to amend law

Speaking at a seminar on “Sandalwood in mixed cropping and growing agriculture crops scientifically in Kodagu” organised by Krishika Sarvodaya Foundation here on Sunday, he said government has provided open marketing system to the tree owners.

The Government is providing support to grow sandalwood trees. In this background, growers should come forward to grow sandalwood as mixed crop in their estate in Kodagu.

There is a need to ward off the legal fear in growers on sandalwood. There is a need to create an awareness that selling sandalwood by stealing is of no use.  Bopaiah said the weather in Kodagu is conducive for the growth of sandalwood. Earlier, Kodagu was known as land of sandalwood.

However, now the situation has changed. “A situation has arisen where we need to search sandalwood trees. If the situation continues, then people may wonder whether sandalwood was grown in Kodagu,” he stated. “Sandalwood plays a vital role in our tradition. However, in spite of strict law, we are not able to preserve sandalwood,” he lamented.

Deputy Commissioner K H Ashwathanarayana Gowda, Karnataka Soaps and Detergent Limited Deputy General Manager V N Venkatesh Gowda, retired scientist H S Ananthapadmanabha, progressive grower Jairam Sharma, DCF P V Karunakara and others were present.